GRANTS > BOROUGHWIDE > MANHATTAN COMMUNITY ARTS FUND
2009 MCAF grantees | past recipients

Jordann Baker, Manhattan Community Arts Fund grantee, 2008

Application Deadline: September 22, 2009, 5PM
First-time applicants and returning applicants who have not attended an information session in the past three years (prior to 2006) are required to attend.

To RSVP for an information session click here.

If you have questions regarding your application, please contact Prachi Patankar, Program Associate, Grants & Services at ppatankar [at] lmcc.net

2010 Program Guidelines
Downloads (in Microsoft Word format)
Manhattan Community Arts Fund Application
Manhattan Community Arts Fund Application Guidelines
Please click here to read our Frequently Asked Questions
About The Program
The Manhattan Community Arts Fund (MCAF) supports local arts organizations and artists that have little access to other government funding sources. MCAF seeks to provide small grants for arts projects and local artists serving Manhattan communities. An MCAF grant is often one of the first grants an artist or group receives, and can help grant recipients to eventually leverage financial support from other sources. The program is designed to prepare applicants for the process of obtaining public funds. MCAF is funded by the New York City of Cultural Affairs (DCA).

How MCAF Works
Grants, ranging from $750 to $5,000, are awarded to individual artists or non-profit organizations. LMCC will award approximately $230,000 through MCAF this year. In our most recent cycle, MCAF awarded 121 grants to enable projects across Manhattan neighborhoods.

Application Deadline: September 22, 2009, 5 PM
All applications must be received at LMCC'€™s offices by 5:00pm on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

Applications received after the deadline will be returned to the applicant. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified by mail beginning in January 2010 whether their projects have been funded.

Application forms are available above for download in Microsoft Word format; however, applications cannot be submitted online.

Applicant Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from Manhattan-based individual artists or nonprofit organizations such as arts organizations, social service agencies, senior centers, faith-based organizations, folk societies and cultural centers. Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:

Organizations must be based in Manhattan
Organizations must have operating budgets under $100,000 for two of the last three fiscal years
Individual artists must live in Manhattan
First-time applicants and returning applicants who have not attended an information session in the past three years are required to attend before applying
Unincorporated and collaborative groups must show a minimum of a three-year working relationship, and an artistic lead residing in Manhattan must apply on behalf of the group.
Individuals cannot apply or receive funds on behalf of a non-profit organization or a for-profit entity
Project Eligibility
Ongoing or new projects in any artistic discipline for which activities will take place between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010
Applicants may only submit one (1) proposal requesting support for one (1) project.
Organizations must show at least 25% of the project income from other sources.
Projects must be implemented in Manhattan
Funding Restrictions
Under this program funding is not available for:

Organizations receiving institutional support or program support (including council member items) from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)
Public school districts, affiliates or components exclusively serving student audiences such as in-school and after school programs
Organizations requesting support for in-school Arts In Education programs
New York State agencies and departments
Any organization previously funded with outstanding final reports to LMCC
Cultural activities restricted to an organization's membership; eligible projects must be promoted, and remain available, to the general public
Proposals from educational, health or welfare institutions unless they can demonstrate a history of providing arts programs
Arts programs that are solely socio-economic, recreational, rehabilitative or therapeutic in nature
Purchase of equipment, fundraising events or administrative expenses not related to the specific project for which funds are requested
General operating support
Work-in-progress showings, solely for the development of new work
Humanities projects
Proposals requesting support solely for educational workshops; eligible projects must have a culminating event that is promoted, and available, to the general public
Review Process
A panel of artists and arts professionals will review projects using the following four criteria:

Artistic merit of the proposed project
Clarity of project proposal
Project feasibility, taking into consideration the budget, timeline, and stated goals
Appropriateness of the outreach plan to reach the proposed community
The criteria are not listed in order of priority; each is equally important.

In addition, funding priority will be given to artists and arts organizations that have applied but not received funding from MCAF for three consecutive years.

Proposals should accurately describe the project, the target audience, and the project's impact. Project budgets and budget narratives should be precise, reflect actual needs, and demonstrate the ability to raise funds from additional sources.

Grant Requirements
The grant award is a contract for arts services; grantees are required to provide the following during the grant period:

Sign and return grant contract to LMCC
Include funding credit and logos on all marketing and event materials, print and electronic
Submit event notification form six weeks before your event (an auditor may be present to monitor your project)
Submit final report, no later than 30 days after completion of all project activities
Grantees who do not comply with the above requirements will jeopardize their funding status and future grant consideration. LMCC may also require grantees to submit interim reports and/or attend an LMCC Grant Clinic (one-on-one grant assistance) to maintain eligibility to apply.

Appeals Process
Applicants may appeal decisions in writing within 10 days of funding notifications. Applicants must request an appeal in writing, effectively arguing the case for appeals based on the criteria below. Dissatisfaction with either an unfavorable decision or the recommended level of support cannot be used as an appeal.

Grounds for appeals are limited to the following:

Misrepresentation of information: an applicant's information was improperly presented by the Fund staff in a way that may have adversely affected the review process
Non-presentation of information: the applicant's information was not presented by the Fund staff prior to or as part of the panel's decision-making process
Improper procedure: conflict of interest on part of a panelist
Application Instructions
A complete application includes:
Eight (8) sets, including one original, of the following documents:
Each set consists of:
Application form, completed and signed
Brochure or one-page fact sheet outlining the mission and activities of the organization
Resumes or brief biographies of key artistic personnel involved in your project (maximum 3 pages)
If applicant is an individual artist, one (1) copy of one of the following as proof of Manhattan address:
Utility bill (could include cable, gas, etc)
Driver’s license (address on the Driver’s license must be same as contact/mailing address. Otherwise utility bill must be provided.)
If applicant is an organization, one (1) copy of the following items:

Proof of non-profit status in one of the following forms:
Form: BSM 189 from the Department of State
Certificate from the NY State Office of Charity Registration
Certificate of Incorporation under NY State Section 402 (Non-profit)
Charter issued by Board of Regents under NY State Section 216 (Education)
Letter of determination of 501(c)(3) status from U.S. Internal Revenue Service (letter must show the same address as the organization. Otherwise updated IRS letter acknowledging current address must be provided)
Audited financial statement for the most recent fiscal year or, if unavailable, a copy of the most recently filed IRS Form 990, signed by your treasurer, bookkeeper or accountant.
Projected organizational budget for the next fiscal year (FY10)
Work samples in an appropriate format. See Work Sample Instructions below for more details. Label each with:
Applicant's name
Sample number (e.g. Work Sample #1)
One set of support materials. Examples include press clippings or printed promotional materials.
(Maximum: 5 pages or 5 five printed pieces)
Self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) for the return of work samples (stamps only). If no SASE is included with the application, work samples will not be returned after review.
All documents must be on 8.5" x 11" paper. Do not staple, package or bind materials. Incomplete, illegible, emailed, or faxed applications will not be reviewed. Please type your application. To save paper, double-sided copies of your application are encouraged.

Work Sample Instructions
Work samples are a critical element of your application. Prepare a well-organized presentation that best represents your work and/or the proposed project. The grant review panel will have approximately five minutes to review your work samples.

Submit samples of work created and/or presented in the last three years.
Do not submit edited promotional or interview materials. You may include cue times in longer works if indicated clearly on your submission materials.
Include cue times for longer works, indicated clearly on your submission materials.
Do not submit original artwork.
Do not submit WMV files.
Do not submit QuickTime files unless optimized for full screen projection.
Do not submit stickers on DVDs or CDs as these can jam equipment.
Work Sample Formats
Submit your work samples in one of the following formats. Please contact our staff for guidance if you wish to combine formats.

Performing Arts, Film, Media Projects
Submit Recordings (2 samples maximum) CDs, DVDs, VHS

Recordings must be cued to play or must include a cue time. Please cue to a portion of the recording that best represents your work and your proposed project. Do not send marketing clips; send full length of work or work in progress. Theater artists without video documentation should consult the staff about alternative work sample formats.
Literary Projects
Submit Manuscripts (10 pages maximum) Scripts, Poetry, Prose

The sample may be no longer than ten (10) pages of writing. The manuscript must be typed, double-spaced on 8½" x 11" white paper.
Visual Arts Projects
Submit Images (10 images maximum) Printed Reproductions, CD/DVD of Images

A maximum of ten (10) images may be submitted. Printed images should be no larger than 8½" x 11". Digital images must be in a JPEG, GIF, or TIFF file format. Each file should not exceed 300K and should have a maximum height x width of 1000 x 1000px. Each filename should be saved as “Applicant Name #” (e.g. ArtsOrg01.jpg, ArtsOrg02.jpg, etc.). CDs must be labeled with applicant name.
Submit Application & Materials To:

Manhattan Community Arts Fund
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, Second Floor
New York, New York 10038
Questions?
Contact:
Prachi Patankar, Program Associate, Grants & Services at 212-219-9401, ext. 117 or ppatankar [at] lmcc.net

Public funds provided by:




Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038
(212) 219-9401
Fax: (212) 219-2058